Recipe for Roasted Vegetables with Creamy Polenta

I love quick and easy meals, especially during the weekdays. I also love to create a good meal out of what I have in the pantry or refrigerator. I hate it when things go to waste. So this meal was inspired by the need to use up my vegetables before it was too late.

I chopped up eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, Roma tomatoes, and red onions. I threw them all in a Pyrex dish and tossed them in olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. I roasted them in the oven until they were nice and tender...and full of flavor! If you think you hate eating veggies, try them roasted, they are SO good!

I am usually fine with a meal of just veggies, but I was craving some polenta. So I made a pan of creamy polenta to go with. It was the perfect side to my veggies. I topped the meal off with some fresh Parmesan cheese and voila, a meal in no time.

If you haven't tried polenta, I am so sorry. I love the stuff. You can enjoy it creamy or you can let it set up and then cut it into little cakes. I like it both ways. I usually make extra so I can have polenta cakes the next day. It is a great grain that goes well with so many dishes. Give it a try!

Roasted Vegetables with Creamy Polenta

(Printable Recipe)

1 eggplant

1 zucchini

1 yellow squash

3 Roma tomatoes

1/2 red onion

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Italian seasoning

1. Chop up all of the vegetables. Make sure they are about the same size.

2. Place the chopped veggies in a Pyrex dish. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

3. Mix the veggies until they are well coated.

4. Roast them in a 400 degree oven for about 15-20 minutes or until tender. Stir them a few times while they are cooking.

For the Polenta:

1 3/4 cups yellow cornmeal

6 cups water

2 tsp. salt

Butter/Parmesan cheese (if you wish)

1. Bring the water to boil. Add the salt. Whisk in the polenta.

2. Turn heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens, stirring often.

3. It will take about 20 minutes to thicken.

4. Remove from heat and stir in butter and cheese, if using. I like to keep it healthy so I usually don't put in the butter, sometimes a little Smart Balance. I do sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top.

5. Serve with vegetables.